Better Call Saul has opened up a new night for AMC. Just two weeks into its hugely successful launch, the drama’s Monday performance is clearly enough for the network to commit to airing more scripted fare on the night. That’s where it’s slotted the sophomore run of Turn.
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Mondays are new for AMC, which, with the exception of Saturday series Hell on Wheels, has kept scripted originals to Sunday nights. But Saul has quickly proven that a live audience will come to Mondays. Compared to the 10 p.m. time slot’s season-to-date average among live and same-day viewers, Saul has lifted the hour by 500 percent.
And that’s before the significant addition from time-shifting viewers. After its record-setting Sunday debut, Better Call Saul has been steady on Mondays and has seen 82 percent growth after just three days of DVR. Last week’s episode, the series’ third, averaged 5.84 million viewers — 3.65 million of them adults 18-49.
What’s more, Saul is currently the No. 2 show on cable behind AMC’s The Walking Dead. It’s a much-needed shot in the arm for the network, which had seen its roster of scripted originals dwindle in 2014.
Barring some unforeseen ratings skyrocket between seasons, Turn‘s Monday performance will likely be modest compared to Saul‘s when it returns on April 13. But it will mark more back-to-back nights for AMC. Sundays will host the final seven episodes of Mad Men starting April 5.
Saul, which has already been picked up for a second season, wraps its first season on April 6.
